Groundskeeper | Iowa State University Job at Iowa State University, Ames, IA

RHdJd1ZFUlVyNlJQYkVaZzNUVTJaQXlTWnc9PQ==
  • Iowa State University
  • Ames, IA

Job Description

Position Title:

Groundskeeper

Job Group:

Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Two years of experience operating the machinery and tools used in grounds work or any combination of related experience and education from which comparable knowledge and ability can be acquired which totals two years. Must have successfully completed commercial certification tests (30T-Ornamental and Turf) for application of pesticides and eligible to be certified. May be required to successfully complete other commercial certification tests as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in public horticulture, especially public gardens.
Experience working with and repairing irrigation systems.
Experience working with volunteers.
Education in horticulture or similar

Job Description:

Reiman Gardens is seeking a Groundskeeper 2 to oversee all aspects of turf care and irrigation maintenance, ensuring the highest standards for one of Iowas premier public horticulture institutions. This position plays a vital role in maintaining the gardens beauty and functionality, working closely with the horticulture team to support seasonal maintenance, event preparation, and broader groundskeeping efforts.

Key Responsibilities

  • Turf & Irrigation Management: Perform, maintain, and troubleshoot turf and irrigation systems to ensure optimal garden conditions.
  • Seasonal Maintenance: Establish and implement seasonal turf maintenance goals, including mowing, aeration, fertilization, and pest management.
  • Event Support: Assist in event preparation and remediation, ensuring landscape quality before, during, and after events.
  • Supervision: Seasonally supervise and delegate tasks to student workers, providing training and guidance.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Maintain and service turf care equipment, ensuring proper functionality.
  • Grounds & Horticulture Support: Participate in snow and ice removal, spring planting, summer mulching and weeding, fall garden cleanup, and conservatory display transitions.
  • Winter Wonderscape Event Leadership: Lead setup, maintenance, teardown, and organization of lighting and features for the annual Winter Wonderscape light show .

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

Performs all duties listed under Groundskeeper I.

Applies pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides using mechanized or hand equipment.

Maintains records/maps of all areas sprayed, chemicals used, and completes state records as required by state law.

Identifies turf, shrubbery, and flower problems and determines chemicals to use.

Calibrates sprayer/spreader equipment for appropriate dispersal rate of chemicals, mixes chemical solutions according to specifications.

Prepares seed beds and performs seeding, planting and transplanting, including flowers, trees and shrubs, and lawns.

Waters, weeds, hoes, sprays, and removed dead blossoms in flower beds.

Trims hedges and shrubs, digs up bulbs and transplants shrubs and trees; treats and controls plant diseases.

Supervises the operation of a greenhouse; submits requisitions for seeds and supplies; germinates seedling plants, roots, cuttings, and otherwise grows plants for the campus.

May assign, coordinate, and review the work of other groundskeeping personnel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and specifications.

Ability to safely operate and maintain equipment and hand/power tools.

Ability to apply various groundskeeping techniques to different work situations.

Ability to satisfactorily perform a full range of duties such as spraying, pruning, seeding, sodding, fertilizing, weeding, transplanting, and trimming.

Knowledge of proper safety techniques to be used in the operation of gardening tools.

Knowledge of symptoms of plant diseases and appropriate treatment.

Ability to lift.

Knowledge of pesticide application, storage and recordkeeping.

Ability to assign and direct work of others

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

08

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date:

March 7, 2025

Posting Close Date:

March 16, 2025

Job Requisition Number:

R16540

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University is a student-centric leading land grant university known worldwide for excellence in science and technology, discovery, and innovation. Operating with the conviction that higher education should be accessible to all, Iowa State offers more than 100 undergraduate, over 110 graduate, and nearly 85 doctoral programs, and is established as an R1: Doctoral University with world-class scholars tackling challenges with innovate research and solutions. Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work. All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state ... law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check. Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at Iowa State University

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Summer work, Seasonal work, Worldwide, Flexible hours,

Similar Jobs

P.J. Fitzpatrick

Roof Repair Carpenter (Boyertown, PA) Job at P.J. Fitzpatrick

 ...years experience of Roofing, Siding, Window, & Door install experience. This position requires skill in all types of exterior carpentry;roofing, siding, windows/door with an emphasis on: ~ Leak detection and resolution ~ Ability to troubleshoot problems ~... 

MH Energy

Class A 1,371 per Week - CDL-A Regional Truck Driver - Hiring Urgently Job Job at MH Energy

Class A 1,371 per Week - CDL-A Regional Truck Driver - Hiring Urgently JobJoin a company thats been in business since the 1950s and knows what it means to maintain a successful workforce with longevity. We have drivers that have been with us for over 15 and 20 years!... 

West Suburban Medical Center, LLC

Security Officer Job at West Suburban Medical Center, LLC

 ...families in the Oak Park and surrounding areas. Our kind, caring hospital staff have a passion to heal and make a difference in our...  ...Transparency. JOB SUMMARY Works to maintain a safe and secure environment for the entire facility. Duties may include patrolling... 

Johnson-Davis Inc.

Lantana, FLORIDA, Pay: Based on experience, starts at $18/hour Job at Johnson-Davis Inc.

 ...federal, state and local regulations. Company OverviewJohnson-Davis is proud to be an industry leader for 40 years working on underground utility projects including storm drainage, water main, sanitary sewer, force main sheeting, and dewatering. Our teams expertise and... 

Career Planners, Inc.

Superintendent - Storage and multi-family Job at Career Planners, Inc.

 ...firm does not let people go if a market has a turn down as they have always got work in their portfolio. The owner has an open-door policy and will talk to all employees and he goes to all jobs. Please include the size of your jobs on your resume in money and if you...